What you need to know
Here’s what you need to know today:
- The tragic death of five-year-old girl Kumanjayi Little Baby in the Northern Territory and its violent aftermath has captured the nation’s attention. An angry crowd formed at Alice Springs Hospital after news spread that wanted man Jefferson Lewis had been taken to the facility.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said word of the Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death “breaks your heart”, and that he understood the “anger and frustration” of community members, but called for calm.
- King Charles and Queen Camilla have ended the fourth and final day of their US state visit.
- Trump has floated a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The US would continue its blockade on Iranian ports, while coordinating higher costs on Iran’s attempts to subvert the free flow of energy.
- Iran’s supreme leader said the Islamic Republic would protect its “nuclear and missile capabilities” as a national asset, while signalling the strait would remain shut.
- A 60-day deadline looms for Trump to secure congressional approval for continued military action.
Call for probe into recent release of man arrested over girl’s death
The national commissioner for Indigenous children has called for an investigation into the correctional systems that allowed the recent release of Jefferson Lewis, who was arrested over the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
“This is an extremely sad day for our people,” National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Sue-Anne Hunter said.
“It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the devastating loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby. Our thoughts are with her family, her community, the wider Northern Territory public, and all those across the nation carrying grief at this time.
“As we call for justice, we also call for unity, and we remember the loss that sits at the centre of this. The hope we held for Kumanjayi Little Baby’s safe discovery and return must now be held for the futures of our children. This must compel us to be better and do better for them,” she said in a statement.
“Every child has a right to safety and a bright future … We call for a wider investigation into the correctional systems that led to his release.”
Lewis was flown to Darwin in the early hours of this morning following an outbreak of violence in Alice Springs.
PM defends security agency funding after interim report released
Anthony Albanese has defended his government’s funding of security agencies after the release of the first interim report from the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
“The fact is that all of the agencies since I’ve been prime minister have had increased funding, whether it be [Australian Security Intelligence Organisation], the Australian Signals Directorate, the [Australian Secret Intelligence Service] or the Australian Federal Police,” the prime minister said.
The royal commission yesterday reported that despite rises in intelligence agency funding, spending has been “significantly” shifted away from counter-terrorism since 2020. Funding has moved towards foreign espionage and interference.
Albanese said the commission would continue to work through the issues, and all recommendations relating to the Commonwealth in yesterday’s interim report have been adopted.
The interim report provided 14 recommendations for the Commonwealth alongside states and territories, including a commitment to the National Gun Buyback Scheme and enhanced policing of “high risk” Jewish community events.
Family spokesperson calls for calm across community
Senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder Robin Granites, spokesperson for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, has called for calm and respect.
“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering.
“Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that.
“This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family,” Granites said.
He urged people to carefully consider their need to travel to Mparntwe/Alice Springs in a statement distributed on Friday by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children.
“If you need to come to join sorry business, that’s fine. But just come for that, then return home please.
“Now is not the time to be heroes on social media or make trouble.”
PM calls for calm after girl’s heartbreaking death
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said word of the Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death “breaks your heart”, and that he understood the “anger and frustration” of community members, but called for calm.
“This is a community that are hurting, that need to come together.”
“There’s meetings there on the ground, as we speak right now, bringing together community leaders, the police, the health workers, the people at the hospital who had to deal with what occurred last night,” Albanese told a press conference in Sydney this morning.
“We want to see the community come together, but we certainly understand people’s anger and frustration and that that was expressed, but we want the community to come together,” he said.
Trump official argues Iran war ‘terminated’ as deadline looms
The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of the ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.
The statement furthers an argument earlier laid out by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during testimony in the Senate, when he said the ceasefire effectively paused the war.
Under that rationale, the administration has not yet met the requirement mandated by a 1973 law to seek formal approval from Congress for military action that extends beyond 60 days.
A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s position, said for purposes of that law, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated”.
Trump invites Iraq’s PM-nominee to Washington to boost ties
Donald Trump has invited Iraq’s prime minister nominee to visit Washington after he forms a new government, as the US seeks to limit Iran’s influence on its neighbour.
In a telephone call, Trump and Ali al-Zaidi discussed “ways to develop and strengthen” bilateral relations between the US and Iraq in various fields, according to a statement from the Iraqi premier’s office. They also agreed to cooperate to consolidate stability in the region.
Iraq’s largest Shiite bloc, the Coordination Framework, nominated Zaidi to be the next prime minister after Nouri al-Maliki, who held the position between 2006 and 2014, withdrew his bid for another tenure.
The candidacy of Maliki, who boasts close ties with Iran, alarmed Washington, as Trump stressed that his return would cause a rift between the US and Iraq – the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ second-largest producer.
Fewer domestic flights for longer amid fuel crisis
Qantas’ plan to fly fewer domestic services has been extended for a further three months while the war-sparked fuel crisis continues to bite.
The airline said its 5 per cent cut in domestic capacity, initially planned from May to June, would be extended to September.
International capacity will also decline by two percentage points until the first quarter of 2027.
Airlines globally have been grappling with a run-up in fuel prices sparked by the Iran war, which has removed fuel supply, reduced capacity, driven up oil and jet fuel costs, and diminished demand for flights in some domestic markets.
US attorney releases video of man accused of trying to kill Trump
Federal prosecutors in the US have released a video showing the moment authorities say an armed man tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ dinner and kill Donald Trump.
Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor for Washington DC, posted the video on social media this morning.
She said it shows Cole Allen shooting a US Secret Service officer as he runs through security towards the ballroom packed with journalists, administration officials and others.
Pirro said there is no evidence that the agent was hit by friendly fire.
Whisky tariff relief goes down smoothly
King Charles has good reason to be happy with the parting gift from Donald Trump at the end of the monarch’s four-day state visit to the US.
Buckingham Palace has welcomed Trump’s decision to remove tariffs on whisky from the United Kingdom.
“The King has been informed of President Trump’s warm gesture and sends his sincere gratitude for a decision that will make an important difference to the British whisky industry and the livelihoods it supports,” said a palace spokesperson.
“His Majesty will be raising a dram to the President’s thoughtfulness and generous hospitality as he departs the US after a most enjoyable State Visit for both Their Majesties in this special anniversary year.”
Trump says blockade ‘incredible’, Iranian president says it’s intolerable
Donald Trump said he was sticking with a naval blockade of Iranian ports even as oil prices hit a wartime high amid concerns the vital Strait of Hormuz would not reopen anytime soon.
“Their economy is crashing, the blockade is incredible,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
“Their economy is a disaster. So we’ll see how long they hold out.”
Oil prices steadied after surging earlier in the day with little sign that Washington and Tehran were moving closer to a deal, with the US doubling down on a blockade and strident comments from Iran’s new leader.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
